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Friday, February 15, 2013

Today, I'm happy to host part of Tyrean Martinson's blog tour for her book, Champion in the Darkness! Tyrean is here to talk about how her novel began, so, lovely blog readers, here she is!

A
Rejection Letter That Started A Novel

No writer likes to receive a rejection letter. I
know I don’t. However, sometimes, rejections can be the beginning of something
good.

Originally, Champion
in the Darkness was a short story, entitled “The Choice.” I submitted it to
three different publications. I received three rejections.

Here’s a section from one of those rejection
letters:

“Overall
there wasn't much to the story. It was more of a section of a larger story. As
a reader, what would seem the truly interesting and conflict-filled parts would
be the training, and what was to follow the choosing of the sword. As a reader,
I suspect there is much more to this world the author has created, and this
slice wasn't enough to provide an adequate stand-alone story.”

I hadn’t thought of “The Choice” as part of a larger
story, but the phrase “what was to follow the choosing of the sword” stayed
with me, and I spent some time daydreaming about the characters and their
world, and eventually this became a series of short vignettes that seemed like
the beginning of a novel. However, I couldn’t seem to get it all to come
together. I waited for a while, wrote backstory, and then finally for NaNoWriMo
2010, I wrote The Crystal Sword, which I later renamed Champion in the Darkness.

A rejection letter started my novel.

So, to any writer that’s frustrated by rejection
letters, I want to encourage you not to look at the closed door, but to look
for the window of opportunity that’s open.

Have you ever received a rejection letter that
triggered an idea in your imagination?

Tyrean Martinson lives and writes in the Northwest, encouraged by her loving husband and daughters, and reminded to exercise by her dogs and cat. Champion in the Darkness is her first book in the Champion Trilogy, but she has previously published short stories and poetry. She can be found online at Tyrean’s Writing Spot.Thank you, Tyrean! And now, let's take a look at her book, Champion in the Darkness!

Clara is younger than most trainees, but she is ready to hold a
Sword Master's blade. While visions and ancient prophecies stand in her
way, they also offer a destiny unlike any other. Clara is aided by a
haunted mentor, Stelia, whose knowledge of their enemy Kalidess is both a
bane and a blessing. As evil threatens their land, Clara and Stelia
must find the strength to overcome the darkness!Champion in the Darkness is YA Christian Fantasy and is the first book in the Champion Trilogy. Where to find the book:Champion in the Darkness on AmazonChampion in the Darkness on SmashwordsChampion in the Darkness on Goodreads

The only idea rejection letters triggered was frustration. LOL. No, like Misha, most of my rejection letters were form. There were a few agencies that gave some feedback, but it was rare... very, very rare :) I'm glad that you rose above it, though! Well done.

Johanna - Thank you! It wasn't something that happened overnight but it built up over time. There are other stories that never went that direction, but with this one it seemed like there was something more.